Infect Chemother.  2007 Apr;39(2):104-107.

A Case of Subacute Infective Endocarditis Caused by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum in a Patient with Mitral Valve Prolapse

• Choi SM
• Lee HK
• Kim YR
• Park KS
• Jeon HK
• Moon SW
• Park YJ
• Shin WS

Abstract

Recently, we experienced a case of subacute infective endocarditis caused by A. haemolyticum on mitral valve prolapse complicated with systemic emboli, which was successfully treated with antibiotics and valve replacement surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report to address infective endocarditis caused by A. haemolyticum in a immunocompetent patient who had mitral valve prolapse and survived with successful treatment. Greater awareness of this uncommon organism is needed to make an accurate diagnosis and perform a better clinical management in the early stage of the disease. Recommendation for the treatment of septic A. haemolyticum infections has not been established. Therefore, the treatment should be based on clinical experiences and in vitro susceptibility profiles of the individual strain. The site of infection as well as antimicrobial susceptibility profiles should be considered for appropriate antibiotics choice and decision to perform a surgical intervention.

Keyword

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum; Endocarditis; Mitral valve prolapse; Surgery

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Arcanobacterium*
Diagnosis
Endocarditis*
Humans
Mitral Valve Prolapse*
Mitral Valve*
Anti-Bacterial Agents